Oyo Kidnap: DHQ Says Dislodged JAS Terrorists Behind Attack
By: Abudu Olalekan
Not just chance behind that Oyo State abduction – officials at Defence Headquarters now confirm. Driven by military pressure elsewhere, militants moved southward. Operations have tightened across regions, forcing movement. These fighters, once held back, are now active in new zones.
On Thursday, the DHQ spoke up. Not because they had to, yet something felt off in how their words traveled. Rumors spread through articles that bent meaning like old wire. These pieces claimed the group linked rebels and lawbreakers in a region down south. What was said got reshaped by fingers far from the source. Twisted takes popped up where clarity should have been. Their actual message? Lost somewhere behind noise. Now they step forward – not chasing attention but pulling truth back into frame. Words once flipped now face correction. A moment of pause turns into setting records straight. Silence ends when distortion grows too loud.
A signature came from Maj Gen Michael Onoja, who leads Defence Media Operations. Behind the Oyo kidnapping, he explained, sit members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad – called JAS informally. Pressure from armed forces has slowly pushed these militants away from spots they once used. Their movement into new areas follows repeated disruptions by military efforts.
“The recent incidence of kidnap in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country,” the statement read.
Here’s the twist. The DHQ didn’t just disagree – they rejected claims outright, calling such labels false. Their stance? Reports describing those individuals as common lawbreakers were mistaken from the start.
“It is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja stated.
Because of how fast stories travel now, details matter more. That first message needed background, according to officials. To clarify things before guesses take over, using verified reports helped shape it. Calm responses depend on clear facts. Spreading confusion benefits nobody.
Just to be clear, they added that bit about playing by the rules. Democracy still has their full backing – the military stands behind officials chosen by voters. From their point of view, there’s no plot against anyone. It wasn’t happening.
“At no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader,” the statement added.
Still, troops remain deployed across the area. Collaboration happens between security units alongside community leaders. Their mission aims straight at dismantling armed groups that disrupt stability nearby.
Later on came this explanation, once the violence hit Oriire Local Government Area. At Community High School in Ahoro-Esinle, gunmen broke in without warning. Pupils were pulled away, along with staff and locals caught nearby. Death arrived fast for several during that chaos.
A teacher named Michael Oyedokun died afterward. Following the incident, a violent video appeared on the internet. Online footage linked to the event turned up.
Still on edge. Yet commanders insist there will be no retreat.
